MICHAEL YAMASHITA(pictured here with Singapore Prime Minister
Lee Hsien Loong and his wife Ho Ching) has been shooting forNational
Geographicmagazine for more than 30 years, combininghis passions
for photography and travel.Ater graduating from Wesleyan University,
Connecticut, USA with a degree in Asian Studies, he spent seven years
in Asia, which became his photographic area of specialty.n otes from a veteran photographer
MICHAEL YAMASHITA RECOUNTS HOW HIS AFFINITY FOR THINGS ASIAN HAS LED HIM TO SPECIALISE IN PHOTOGRAPHING ASIA,
ANDTELLS US WHAT IT MEANS TO BE INSPIRED BY SINGAPORE’S “PHOTOGENIC” LOCATIONShighlights
Sincethe late 1970s, pretty much
every picture I have taken is Asian. In
fact, when I joinedNational Geographic
in 1979, I was tasked to photograph
Japan for myirstassignment.
How is photographing Singapore
diferent from shooting Chinese and
Japanese cities? Singapore is very
small, so the subjects are also visually
cramped into smaller spaces. It makes
it easier for me to take the photos!
The other thing I’ve said is Singapore
is very photogenic. It’s visually stunning,
with great architecture – the old and new
juxtaposed, and with trees and flowers
lining the highways, and parks and other
green spaces. Everything is beautifully
manicured and well maintained;
everything is designed to provide great
photo opportunities.
And therein lies the challenge for
photographers to create an image that
is diferent from that of so many other
people’s! Take Gardens by the Bay for
example. There’s nothing quite likethis in the rest of the world: Its giant
supertrees, and all those marvellous
colours in the Flower Dome. I can spend
a lot of time in there looking for ways to
make pictures that have lasting power.
The Sonyα7R III, the company’s
latest full-frame mirrorless camera,
has been a joy to use. Its incredibly
high resolution, improved speed
and focusing, longer-lasting battery
power and even better ergonomics
are great for experienced photo-
journalists and amateurs alike.
One gratifying thing about my recent
assignment in Singapore is what people
are now saying about my photo of those06- Organise your shoot around the time
ofday and the available light. Map out
your route before you start. - Do your homework: Know everything
about your subject; sometimes you
willbeledtonewphotoopportunities. - Wearagoodpairofshoes!Good
photographersdoalotofwalking.
MIKE’S TIPS FOR
GOOD PHOTOS IN ASIAsupertrees, silhouetted against the pre-
sunrise sky: “Wow! I have never seen
those trees from that angle before.” agPHOTO © LEE HSIEN LOONGSony α7R III f/4, 1/125s, ISO400resque